Where does Windows 7 hide downloaded files?

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

When I use Internet Explorer to download a file to some target
directory, it actually downloads to some unknown location, then when
done, copies the completed download to the target directory. That's
okay, I guess, but annoying. Where is this mysterious buffer?

 

[Evan Platt]

When I use Internet Explorer to download a file to some target
directory, it actually downloads to some unknown location, then when
done, copies the completed download to the target directory. That's
okay, I guess, but annoying. Where is this mysterious buffer?

The Temporary Internet Files Location.

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/windowsnetworking/ht/findtempfiles.htm

 

[richard]

When I use Internet Explorer to download a file to some target
directory, it actually downloads to some unknown location, then when
done, copies the completed download to the target directory. That's
okay, I guess, but annoying. Where is this mysterious buffer?

in windows explorer do you see a set of icons up at the top left?
Does one say "DOWNLOADS".<<<<<<<<<<kloo!
you can also change the final destination in options/settings.

 

[Dave-UK]

When I use Internet Explorer to download a file to some target
directory, it actually downloads to some unknown location, then when
done, copies the completed download to the target directory. That's
okay, I guess, but annoying. Where is this mysterious buffer?

When I download a file with IE9 it downloads to the default
location, C:\Users\YourName\Downloads.
If this folder is monitored during a download the file has
a 'partial' extension ( xxxxxxxx.partial) and has the IE icon.
When the download is complete IE runs a security scan on the
file and the icon changes to its proper one.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

When I use Internet Explorer to download a file to some target
directory, it actually downloads to some unknown location, then when
done, copies the completed download to the target directory. That's
okay, I guess, but annoying. Where is this mysterious buffer?

Are you sure it copies the file, rather than moving it?

How did you detect this, if I may ask? I'd like to see it so I can
complain

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Sorry. Move, not copy.

I monitor the target directory I specify when I start the download
(d:\downloads). Nothing shows up until the download is complete and the
completed download file is moved from wherever it is to the target.

I think Evan is right, that the file is downloaded to the Temporary
Internet Files tree, and then moved to the final destination, possibly
after being scanned by security software.

Thanks.

Sometimes during a download I've seen two files in the destination
directory, such as Target.exe and Target.exe.part. The first shows zero
length if I look at it, but I forget what the .part file shows.

Eventually, the .part file goes away and the real target gets a
non-zero length.

I like that approach better, because it's quite clear what's going
on...

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

Thanks.

Sometimes during a download I've seen two files in the destination
directory, such as Target.exe and Target.exe.part. The first shows
zero length if I look at it, but I forget what the .part file shows.

Eventually, the .part file goes away and the real target gets a
non-zero length.

I like that approach better, because it's quite clear what's going
on...

Me, too. With GetRight, the filename shows up immediately, with the
extension renamed to "getright." In your example, Target.exe would be
Target.getright until the download is complete.